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The county is sending a notice indicating whether you live in the new 3rd, 12th or 15th
congressional district.

The decision to spend $24,474 to print and mail the postcards before the March 6 primary is an
attempt to prevent further confusion in the aftermath of Ohio’s once-a-decade redrawing of
congressional and legislative seats.

“We have to do it because folks are confused,” said William Anthony Jr., Franklin County Board
of Elections director.

“We’ve gotten some emails from folks wanting to know what district they live in. Just to make it
easy on everyone, we’re going to let them know.”

County voters have good reason to be thrown for a loop.

In an area just south of Riverside Methodist Hospital, for example, you can step inside three
congressional districts within minutes.

And although much of Clintonville is in the 12th District held by Republican Rep. Pat Tiberi, a
sliver probably will be represented by whoever wins a four-way Democratic primary in the
Democratic-leaning 3rd District.

Former U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy lived in the new 3rd District when the map was first approved in
September. The revised 3rd District does not include her but does make room for her neighbors
across the street. (She is still running in the 3rd regardless; congressional candidates do not
have to live in a district to represent it.)

In Gahanna, Lincoln High School is in the 3rd District. But Clark Hall, essentially a
high-school annex that sits on the opposite corner, is in the 12th.

Outside Franklin County, election officials are less concerned about voter confusion in
congressional races.

All six counties surrounding Franklin now are part of only one congressional district — either
the 12th, the 15th (held by Republican Rep. Steve Stivers) or the 4th (held by Republican Rep. Jim
Jordan).

All voters in Licking County will cast ballots in the 12th District. It used to be split between
the 12th and 18th districts.

“We love it. I’m just saying it makes it a lot easier for us,” said Sue Penick, director of the
Licking County Board of Elections.

The board has not heard from residents confused about moving from two districts into one, she
said.

“It took away several of our split districts, which was a good thing,” Penick said.